WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-6% vs national median2,071 grads tracked

Visual and Performing Arts at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Ranked 190th of 376 bachelor's programs in Visual and Performing Arts by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$29,839
middle 50%: $22,846 – $39,974
Median · 5 years out
$45,927
middle 50%: $32,790 – $60,380
Median · 10 years out
$56,139
middle 50%: $39,358 – $77,384

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Visual and Performing Arts (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's bachelor's program in Visual and Performing Arts earn a median $29,839 one year after graduating, rising to $56,139 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 6% below the national median of $48,719 for this field, ranking 190th of 376 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
9.4 yrs
≈ $11,411 total interest

Same major at other universities

Worcester State University
$46,093 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Saint Louis
$46,055 · 5 yrs out
Kennesaw State University
$46,032 · 5 yrs out
Bridgewater College
$46,024 · 5 yrs out
Metropolitan State University
$45,999 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Parkside
$45,979 · 5 yrs out
Utah Tech University
$45,912 · 5 yrs out
Minneapolis College of Art & Design
$45,905 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Cortland
$45,903 · 5 yrs out
Macalester College
$45,870 · 5 yrs out
Ball State University
$45,862 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana Tech University
$45,840 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,060 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$128,910 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$112,207 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$110,141 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$98,560 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,955 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$97,921 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$95,779 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,729 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management
Compare universities
Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry
Compare universities
Dance
Compare universities
Design and Applied Arts
Compare universities
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Compare universities
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Compare universities